ESMO Patients Guide
GLOSSARY ADENOCARCINOMA Cancer that begins in glandular (secretory) cells ADJUVANT (TREATMENT) Additional treatment given after the primary treatment to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back; usually refers to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy after surgery ALOPECIA Hair loss ANAEMIA A condition characterised by the shortage of red blood cells or haemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body) ANOREXIA A lack or loss of appetite ARTHRALGIA Joint pain ASTHENIA Abnormal feeling of weakness or lack of energy BEVACIZUMAB A type of targeted therapy used to treat some cancers, including advanced cervical cancer. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor and prevents the cancer cells from developing their own blood supply, thus helping to slow down tumour growth BIOPSY A medical procedure in which a small sample of cells or tissue is taken for examination under a microscope BONE MARROW A spongy tissue found inside some bones (e.g. hip and thigh bones). It contains stem cells, which are cells that can develop into the red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets BRACHYTHERAPY A type of radiotherapy in which the radioactive source is placed directly into or near a tumour CARBOPLATIN A type of chemotherapy that is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest CATHETER A flexible tube used to empty the bladder and collect urine in a drainage bag
CERVICAL INTRA-EPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA (CIN) Abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. CIN is not cancer, but may develop into cancer CERVIX The low, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina CHEMOTHERAPY A type of cancer treatment using medicine that kills the cancer cells by damaging them, so that they cannot reproduce and spread CHEMORADIOTHERAPY Chemotherapy and radiotherapy given together CISPLATIN A type of chemotherapy that is administered through a drip into a vein in your arm or chest CLINICAL TRIAL A study that compares the effects of one treatment with another COLD CAP A cap that cools the scalp before, during and after treatment to reduce the effects of the treatment on hair follicles COLPOSCOPY A procedure in which a lighted, magnifying instrument called a colposcope is used to examine the cervix, vagina and vulva COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN A scan using x-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your body CONISATION A procedure in which a cone-shaped piece of abnormal tissue is removed from the cervix DNA Deoxyribose nucleic acid, the chemical that carries genetic information in the cells of your body DYSARTHRIA Difficult or unclear articulation of speech (e.g. slurred, nasal-sounding, hoarse or excessively loud or quiet) DYSGEUSIA A change in the sense of taste DYSPNOEA Shortness of breath
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